Scow



Dec. 30, 1930.

W. A. BICKELL SCOW Filed March s, 1929 L 3w R Y or E R N -E R 55 o vL VT LN WM. [4wv v m%p w Y B N mm Patented Dec. 30, 1930 s easnr orries SCOVT Application filed March 8,

My invention relates to improvements in scows which are particularly adapted for conveying loose material such as rock and gravel which is to be dumped from the scow at destination into the water. 7

The objects of the invention are to provide means whereby the scow may be upset to dump its load in relatively shallow water, and after discharging, to restore itself to an even keel ready for reloading. Further objects are to provide means whereby the scow is prevented from turning over subsequent to dumping and to provide a method of construction whereby scows of ordinary conr struction may be readily converted for du1nping purposes.

The invention consists essentially of a scow of any convenient type having one or more compartments adjacent one of its side walls which are above the no load water line and are capable of being flooded at will when the scow is loaded, so that the flooded portion may sink under the deck and water load until the deck load is dischargech as will be more fully described in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sioe view with a portion of its side wall broken away to show the submersible compartments.

Fig. 3 isa transverse sectional view.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the scow in load discharging position.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

The numeral 1 indicates generally the bottom wall of the scow which is upwardly inclined at both ends to form a bow and a stern 2, the side walls are indicated by the numerals 8 and 3A and the deck by the nume al 4.

The scow is divided longitudinally by bulkheads or walls 5 and 6, the walls 5 being of any desired construction and the wall 6 being of watertight construction. Between the longitudinal wall 6 and the adjacent side wall 3 a watertight floor 7 is fitted, which is at or slightly above the no load water line of the scow. Fitted above the deck 4 is a load 1929. Serial No. 345,519.

platform 8 which is inclined upwards from the side wall 3 to the side wall 3A. the inclination of said platform being such as to be slightly greater than the normal angle of repose of the material carried when the scow is in dumping position. The scow is provided with stanchions 9 adjacent its outer edges between which. are fitted suitable panels 10 for the purpose of supporting the sides of the load carried. ing the lower edge of the platform 8 are arranged in any suitable manner such as hinging them along their upper edges as at 11, so that they are free to swing outwards to permit form. Between the watertight floor 7 and "the bottom wall 1 a compartment 12 is defined which is fitted with one or more pipes or ducts 13 extending" upwards through the deck 4 to permit of the compartment being N siphoned clear of water should it be found necessary. Between the watertight floor 7, the side wall. 3 the longitudinal wall 6 and the deck 4 is defined a chamber 14- which may be divided transversely by wall 15, which, if used, would preferably extend to such a height only as to leave a communicating gap 16 between it and the deck 4.

Fitted to communicate between the chamthe side wall 3 is a pluarity of sea cocks 17 capable of being controlled from any suita le position on the deck as at 18, and communicating between the deck and the chamber 14 preferably adjacent its longitudinal centre is one or more air relief valves 19 or alternately air relief openings communicating with a duct 20 leading to a suitable elevated position above the deck of the scow as j stances none of the load would be subject to 2.11

The panels 10 adjointhe load to be discharged from the platber 14 and below the no load waterline of slipping from the platform until its destination is reached.

I may prefer to connect the stems of the sea cocks 17 together by asuitable train of gears and shafts 23 so as to enable them to be collectively opened and closed from a hand wheel 2% extending above the deck a adjacent the hatches 22.

Having thus described the several parts of my invention I will now briefly explain its operation.

hen it is desired to discharge the load from the scow the fastenings of the hinged panels 10 if the scow is so fitted, are released, the covers of the hatches are removed and the sea cocks 17 are opened, the openings to which are well below the surface of the water due to the sniper-imposed load of ma terial on the scow.

The opening of the cocks will permit the chamber is to fill relatively slowly destroying the buoyancy of one side of the scow until its deck at the low side of the platform is awash when the water will enter the open hatches 22 completing the filling of the chamber very rapidly and increasing the angle of the scow until the load is caused to slide therefrom. Should one corner of the scow sink more rapidly than the corresponding corner on the submersible side, so that its hatch is entirely covered with water, the air in the chamber will be permitted to escape through one of the air relief openings 19.

On the discharging of the load the scow will return to a position where the surface level of the water in the chamber is higher than the level of the water in which the scow is floating so that the water will commence to flow out of the chamber and will so continue due to the changing inclination of the scow until the chamber is entirely empty, permitting the sea cocks and hatches to be closed and the scow made ready for reloading.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A self dumping scow comprising a decked hull, a water tight compartment along one side thereof and located above the noload water line of the hull, a plurality of sea cocks controlled from the deck of the scow, said. compartment having air outlet passages communicating with the atmosphere, normally closed hatches located at the opposite ends of the compartment, through which the air is allowed to escape when uncovered, one of said hatches providing for a rapid inflow of water into the compartment when the scow is initially tilted to a predetermined position, and thereby quickly tilt the scow to an angle in excess of the normal angle of repose of the load, and means for automatically discharging the water from the compartment on dumping of the load.

A self dumping scow comprising a decked hull, a water tight compartment along one side thereof and located above the noload water line of the hull, a plurality of sea cocks cont-rolled from the deck of the scow, said deck being spaced from the top wall of the compartment to provide a longitudinal air passage therebetween opening to the atmosphere at opposite ends of the scow, said top wall of the compartment having air outlet openings communicating with said passage, normally closed hatches located at the opposite ends of said compartment, and through which and said air passages the air in the compartment is allowed to quickly escape, one of said hatches when uncovered providing for a rapid inflow of water into the compartment when the scow is tilted to a predetermined position, and thereby quickly tilt the scow to an angle in excess of the normal angle of the repose of the load, and means for automatically discharging the water from the compartment after the load has been dumped.

3. A dumping scow con'iprising a decked hull, a water tight compartment et-:- tendin along one of its sides above the noload water line of the hull, a plurality of sea cocks for admitting water to the compartment and controlled from the deck of the scow, means for quickly exhausting the air from the compartment as it is being filled with water, means associated with the deck and con'ipartinent to permit of a rapid inflow of water after the scow has been tilted to a predetermined position, and thereby quickly tilt the scow to an angle in excess of the normal angle of repose of the load, means for discharging the water from the compartment after the load has been dumped, removable panels supported by the deck to encase said load, one of said panels being mounted for pivotal movement to release the load when the scow is tilted, and means for normally holding the movable panel against movement.

Dated at Vancouver, B. 0., this 21st day of February, 1929.

WILLIAM ALBERT BICKELL. 

